JPH0948232A - Vehicle air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To improve the work of connecting and fixing a refrigerant tube and to simplify the desiccant arrangement structure. A liquid receiving part for storing a liquid-phase refrigerant is formed in a condenser to give a function of a liquid tank, while a high pressure side tube and a low pressure side tube are connected to a tube connecting part of an indoor air conditioning unit. The flanges 9
The high-pressure side tube 9 and the low-pressure side tube 2 are collectively connected and fixed by pressing and fixing with the tube connection fixing member 16 via a and 2a. The tube connection fixing member 16 has a hollow portion 23 that communicates with the high-pressure side tube 9 and the refrigerant inlet 14 of the tube connection portion 13.
3 also has a function as a desiccant cartridge which can be detached by filling the desiccant 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle air conditioner, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-43271 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-131667, a receiver for storing a cooled liquid-phase refrigerant in a condenser is disclosed. By forming a liquid portion and imparting the function of a liquid tank, the liquid tank is not required, and the number of connection points of the refrigerant tubes is reduced as much as possible, and a desiccant is provided in the liquid receiving portion to provide a refrigeration cycle It is known that it absorbs the water of.

[0003]

By eliminating the liquid tank, it is possible to eliminate the connection point of the high-pressure side tube at the liquid tank portion, but the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube to the indoor air conditioning unit are individually Since the flange connection is made to, the tube connection work in the narrow portion below the instrument panel in the vehicle compartment is still complicated.

Further, in order to arrange the desiccant in the liquid receiving portion provided in the condenser, many components such as a desiccant holder, a refrigerant suction pipe, and a sealing material are required, and the structure becomes complicated. It cannot be denied that it will be disadvantageous in terms of cost.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube can be intensively connected to the indoor air conditioning unit to improve the workability of connecting the refrigerant tube, and the desiccant has a simple structure without increasing the number of parts. An air conditioner for a vehicle that can be arranged in a refrigeration cycle is provided.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a condenser is provided with a liquid receiving portion for storing a cooled liquid-phase refrigerant, and a tube connecting portion of an indoor air conditioning unit has a high-pressure side tube and a low-pressure side tube. In the tube connection fixing member for pressing and fixing the tube and the flange through the flanges formed in the vicinity of each end of the tube, a hollow portion communicating with the high-pressure side tube and the refrigerant inlet of the tube connection portion is formed, and the hollow portion has a refrigeration cycle inside. It is characterized in that it is filled with a desiccant that absorbs the water.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube are combined with the fact that the condenser is provided with the liquid receiving portion for storing the liquid-phase refrigerant to provide the function as a liquid tank. Since and are pressed and fixed to the tube connection portion of the indoor air conditioning unit by one tube connection fixing member, the number of connection points of the refrigerant tubes is reduced as much as possible, which is advantageous in terms of tube connection work and liquid leakage prevention measures.

Further, as described above, since the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube can be collectively pressed and fixed to the tube connection portion of the indoor air conditioning unit by one tube connection fixing member, the tube at a narrow place in the vehicle interior Connection fixing work can be easily performed.

Further, since the hollow portion of the tube connection fixing member is filled with a desiccant, and the tube connection fixing member itself is effectively utilized as a desiccant cartridge, the desiccant arrangement structure is simple and the parts are It can be configured without increasing the score.

Further, since the tube connection fixing member is a desiccant cartridge, the desiccant can be easily replaced and serviceability can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the tube connecting side end surface of the tube connecting and fixing member according to the first aspect is inserted into and connected to the refrigerant inlet of the tube connecting portion of the indoor air conditioning unit so that the hollow portion communicates with the refrigerant inlet. And a refrigerant inlet port for communicating the high-pressure side tube with the hollow portion by opening and connecting the high-pressure side tube end, and the tube connection to the upper side of the tube connection fixing member. While forming a slit for accommodating the end portion of the low-pressure side tube that is inserted and connected to the refrigerant outlet of the portion of the tube, the high-pressure side that is connected to the refrigerant inlet port at the lower side of the tube connection portion. It is characterized in that a slit for accommodating an end portion of the tube which is bent into a substantially U-shaped side surface is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the end portion of the low-pressure side tube bent into a substantially L-shape on the side surface engages with the slit of the upper side portion of the tube connection fixing member to prevent steadying, while the high-pressure side Since the end portion of the tube bent into a substantially U-shape on the side surface engages with the slit in the lower portion of the tube connection portion of the indoor air conditioning unit to prevent steadying, both the low pressure side tube and the high pressure side tube are loosened. You can make a reliable connection without any trouble and take thorough measures to prevent liquid leakage.

Further, while the high-pressure side tube end is inserted and connected to the refrigerant introduction port of the tube connection fixing member, the high-pressure side tube end is inserted into the slit of the tube connection part and is inserted and connected to the refrigerant outlet of the tube connection part. The low-pressure side tube end is accommodated in the slit of the tube connection fixing member, and the refrigerant outlet of the tube connection fixing member is inserted and connected to the refrigerant inlet of the tube connecting portion to fix the tube connecting fixing member to the tube connecting portion. The high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube can be tightly fixed between the tube connection portion and the tube connection fixing member, and the high-pressure side tube, the hollow portion filled with the desiccant, and the low-pressure side tube can be connected to the tube connection. It is possible to improve the workability of assembling by simultaneously connecting and fixing parts.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the slits of the tube connecting / fixing member and the slits of the tube connecting portion of the indoor air conditioning unit according to the second aspect are bent in a substantially L shape on the side surface of each corresponding low pressure side tube. It is characterized in that the back surface of the end portion and the back surface of the end portion of the high-pressure side tube bent in a substantially U-shape are formed so as to be in contact with each other.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rear surface of the end portion of the low pressure side tube abuts on the slit end of the tube connection fixing member, while the rear surface of the end portion of the high pressure side tube abuts on the slit end of the tube connecting portion. Since they are pressed and fixed, the steady ends of the low-pressure side tube and the high-pressure side tube can be more reliably prevented.

According to a fourth aspect, the refrigerant outlet forming portion and the slit forming portion on the end face of the tube connecting portion of the indoor air conditioning unit according to the second and third aspects are provided near the respective ends of the low pressure side tube and the high pressure side tube. It is characterized in that a flange receiving portion for receiving the formed flange is recessed.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the flanges at the ends of the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube are housed in the recesses of the end face of the tube connecting portion, the flanges are well seated, and stable tube connection can be performed. As a result, there is no gap between the end surface of the tube connecting portion and the end surface of the tube connecting / fixing member, the quality and reliability can be improved, and the liquid leakage can be prevented more thoroughly.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerating cycle of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention. An indoor air conditioning unit 1 disposed below an instrument panel (not shown) at a front portion of a vehicle interior includes an expansion valve and an evaporator (whichever is used). (Also not shown), and the low-pressure vapor-phase refrigerant, which has finished cooling the indoor introduced air in the indoor air conditioning unit 1, is introduced into the compressor 3 in the engine room via the low-pressure side tube 2.

The high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor 3 is introduced into the condenser 5 on the front side of the engine room via the high-pressure side tube 4.

The gas-phase refrigerant introduced into the condenser 5 exchanges heat with the outside air to condense and liquefy while circulating through the finned cooling pipe 8 installed in a plurality of stages between the pair of headers 6 and 7.

The high-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant condensed and liquefied by the condenser 5 is sent to the indoor air conditioning unit 1 via the high-pressure side tube 9 to complete one cycle.

A liquid receiving portion 10 is provided in the header 7 of one side of the condenser 5 to provide a function as a liquid tank, and the cooled liquid phase refrigerant stored in the liquid receiving portion 10 is maximized. It passes through the cooling pipe 8 on the lower stage side and is led out to the high pressure side tube 9 as described above from the tube connecting portion 11 provided on the lower side portion of the other header 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a tube connecting portion 13 protruding outside the unit case 12 is provided on the side portion of the indoor air conditioning unit 1.

The tube connecting portion 13 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 14 and a refrigerant outlet 15, and the low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9 are connected to the tube connecting portion 13 by the tube connecting fixing member 1.
By 6 the presser foot is collectively fixed.

The end portion of the low-pressure side tube 2 is bent in a side surface substantially L-shape, and the end portion of the high-pressure side tube 9 is bent in a side surface substantially U-shape.

At the lower side of the tube connecting portion 13, a slit 17 is opened to the end surface and the lower surface of the tube connecting portion 13.
Is formed so that the end of the high-pressure side tube 9 bent in a U shape can be accommodated in the slit 17.

The slit 17 is U of the high pressure side tube 9.
It is formed so that the back surface of the character-shaped end portion abuts.

Further, the end face of the tube connecting portion 13 has
Recesses 18 and 19 for receiving the flange 2a formed near the end of the low pressure side tube 2 and the flange 9a formed near the end of the high pressure side tube 9 are formed around the formation portion of the refrigerant outlet 15 and around the formation portion of the slit 17. Has been formed.

These recesses 18 and 19 are flanges 2a and 9
It is formed to have a depth corresponding to the thickness of a so that the end surface of the tube connecting portion 13 and the flanges 2a and 9a are flush with each other.

The tube connection fixing member 16 is formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular block, and is provided with flange portions 20 and 20 at diagonally upper and lower corners on diagonal lines, and bolt holes of these flange portions 20 and 20. Bolts 21 are passed through 20a, 20a and screwed into screw holes 21, 21 provided in the tube connection portion 13.

The hollow portion 2 of the tube connection fixing member 16
3 is filled with a desiccant 24 so that it can absorb water in the liquid-phase refrigerant sent from the high-pressure side tube 9 as described later.

Further, the refrigerant inlet 14 of the tube connecting portion is provided on the tube pressing side end surface of the tube connecting fixing member 16.
A refrigerant outlet 25 for connecting the hollow portion 23 to the refrigerant inlet 14 is provided in a protruding manner, and the high pressure side tube 9
A refrigerant inlet port 26 is provided to insert and connect the end to communicate the high-pressure side tube 9 with the hollow portion 23.

Further, an open slit 27 is formed in the upper surface and the front and rear end surfaces of the tube connecting and fixing member 16 so that the L-shaped end portion of the low pressure side tube 2 is accommodated in the slit 27. There is.

The low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9
A seal ring 28 is provided at each insertion end of the refrigerant outlet port 25.
Is fitted to seal the connection part.

According to the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment, the low pressure side tube 2 for discharging the vapor phase refrigerant from the indoor air conditioning unit 1,
When the high-pressure side tube 9 for introducing the liquid-phase refrigerant into the indoor air conditioning unit 1 is connected and fixed to the tube connecting portion 13 of the indoor air conditioning unit 1, the end of the low pressure side tube 2 is inserted into the refrigerant outlet 15 of the tube connecting portion 13. While connecting and fixing the flange 2a in the recess 18, the end of the high-pressure side tube 9 is connected to the refrigerant introduction port 2 of the tube connection fixing member 16.
Insert and connect to 6.

Then, the tube connection fixing member 16 is applied to the end surface of the tube connection portion 13, and the U-shaped end portion of the high-pressure side tube 9 is connected to the slit 1 of the tube connection portion 13.
7, and the L-shaped end of the low-pressure side tube 2 is accommodated in the slit 27 of the tube connecting and fixing member 16, and the refrigerant outlet 25 is inserted and connected to the refrigerant inlet 14 to connect the tube connecting and fixing member. 16 is fastened and fixed to the tube connecting portion 13 with a bolt 21.

As a result, the flanges 2a, 9a of the low-pressure side tube 2 and the high-pressure side tube 9 are pressed by the end face of the tube connection fixing member 16, and the low pressure side tube 2 and the high-pressure side tube 16 are pressed by one tube connection fixing member 16. 9
And can be collectively pressed and fixed to the tube connecting portion 13.

In the above description, the U-shaped end of the high-pressure side tube 9 may be connected to the slit 1 of the tube connecting portion 13 in some cases.
7, the flange 9a is housed and fixed in the recess 19, and then the tube connection fixing member 16 is applied to the end surface of the tube connection portion 13 to connect the end of the high-pressure side tube 9 and the refrigerant introduction port 26, the refrigerant. The connection between the outlet 25 and the refrigerant inlet 14 and the engagement between the L-shaped end of the low pressure side tube 2 and the slit 27 may be performed at the same time.

As described above, according to the structure of the present embodiment, the liquid receiving portion 10 for storing the liquid phase refrigerant is formed in the one header 7 of the condenser 5 to give the function as the liquid tank, and the liquid tank portion is provided. Since the high pressure side tube 9 and the low pressure side tube 2 are pressed and fixed to the chew connection portion 13 by the single tube connection fixing member 16, the high pressure side tube 9 and the low pressure side tube 2 are eliminated. The number of connection points can be reduced as much as possible to reduce the number of tube connection work steps, and since there are few tube connection points, it is possible to thoroughly implement liquid leakage prevention measures.

Moreover, one tube connection fixing member 16
Since the low-pressure side tube 2 and the high-pressure side tube 9 can be collectively pressed and fixed, the tube connection and fixing work can be easily performed in a narrow place in the vehicle interior such as the lower side of the instrument panel, and workability is improved. be able to.

On the other hand, the liquid-phase refrigerant fed from the high-pressure side tube 9 is once in the hollow portion 23 of the tube connection fixing member 16.
Water is absorbed by the desiccant 24 filled in the hollow portion 23 and supplied to the refrigerant inlet 14 of the indoor air conditioning unit 1, and thus all the liquid phase refrigerant supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 1 is Since it passes through the portion filled with the desiccant 24, the moisture removal performance can be improved.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the tube connection fixing member 16 itself is effectively used as a desiccant cartridge as described above, the desiccant arrangement structure is simple and the number of parts is increased. Can be configured without.

Further, in this way, the tube connection fixing member 1
Since 6 serves as a desiccant cartridge, the desiccant can be replaced by detaching the tube connection fixing member 16 to improve serviceability.

Further, the low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9 are pressed and fixed to the tube connection portion 13 by the tube connection fixing member 16, so that the low pressure side tube 2 and the hollow portion 23 filled with the desiccant 24 and The high-pressure side tube 9 and the tube connection portion 13 can be connected and fixed at the same time, and the workability of assembly can be improved.

Here, the low-pressure side tube 2 and the high-pressure side tube 9 are both flanges 2a and 9a at their ends.
Is housed and fixed in the recesses 18 and 19 on the end surface of the tube connection portion 13, the flanges 2a and 9a can be seated well and stable tube connection can be performed, and the end surface of the tube connection portion 13 and the tube connection fixing member 16 can be formed. Since there is no gap between the end surface and the low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9, the respective ends of the low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9 are housed in the slits 27 and 17 to prevent them from swinging. In both cases, loosening does not occur, liquid leakage prevention measures can be thoroughly taken, and a sense of quality and reliability can be improved.

More preferably, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slit 27 of the tube connection fixing member 16 is formed to have a depth with which the rear surface of the L-shaped end portion of the low pressure side tube 2 abuts, so that the low pressure side. The slits 27 corresponding to the end of the tube 2 and the rear surface of the end of the high-pressure side tube 9, respectively.
Since the end portions of the low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9 are abutted against and fixed to the 17th end, the respective steady ends of the low pressure side tube 2 and the high pressure side tube 9 can be held more reliably.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube are combined with the liquid receiving portion for storing the liquid phase refrigerant in the condenser to provide the function as a liquid tank. The two tube connection fixing members hold the tube connection part of the indoor air conditioning unit and fix it, so the number of connection points for the refrigerant tubes can be reduced as much as possible to reduce the number of tube connection work steps. Preventive measures can be thoroughly implemented, which can greatly contribute to cost reduction and quality improvement.

Since the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube can be collectively pressed and fixed to the tube connection part of the indoor air conditioning unit with one tube connection fixing member, the tube connection fixing work in a narrow place in the vehicle interior is facilitated. It is possible to improve workability.

Since the hollow portion of the tube connecting and fixing member is filled with the desiccant and the tube connecting and fixing member itself is effectively used as the desiccant cartridge, the desiccant disposing structure is simple and the number of parts is small. It can be configured without increasing.

Since the tube connection fixing member serves as a desiccant cartridge, the desiccant can be easily replaced and the serviceability can be improved.

Since all the liquid-phase refrigerant fed from the high-pressure side tube is once introduced into the hollow portion of the tube connection fixing member and the moisture is removed by the desiccant, it is supplied to the refrigerant inlet of the indoor air conditioning trim. The water removal performance in the refrigeration cycle can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the end portion of the low-pressure side tube bent into a substantially L-shape is engaged with the slit of the upper side portion of the tube connecting and fixing member to prevent steady movement, while the side surface of the high-pressure side tube is provided. The end bent into a substantially U shape engages with the slit in the lower part of the tube connection part of the indoor air conditioning unit to prevent it from swinging, so that neither the low-pressure side tube nor the high-pressure side tube will become loose and secure. It is possible to connect to and take thorough measures to prevent liquid leakage.

By fixing and fixing the low-pressure side tube and the high-pressure side tube to the tube connection portion with the tube connection fixing member, the low-pressure side tube, the hollow portion and the high-pressure side tube filled with the desiccant of the tube connection fixing member, Connection work with the tube connection part can be performed at the same time, and assembling workability can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rear surface of the end portion of the low-pressure side tube abuts on the slit end of the tube connection fixing member, while the rear surface of the end portion of the high-pressure side tube abuts on the slit end of the tube connecting portion and is fixed by pressing. As a result, the steadying of each end of the low-pressure side tube and the high-pressure side tube can be performed more reliably.

According to the present invention, the flanges at the respective ends of the high-pressure side tube and the low-pressure side tube are housed in the recesses of the end face of the tube connecting portion, and the flanges are well seated, so that stable tube connection can be performed and the tube connection can be made. There is no gap between the end surface of the portion and the end surface of the tube connection fixing member, the quality feeling and reliability can be improved, and liquid leakage can be prevented more thoroughly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a range A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Indoor Air Conditioning Unit 2 Low Pressure Side Tube 2a Flange 5 Condenser 9 High Pressure Side Tube 9a Flange 10 Liquid Receiving Section 13 Tube Connection Part 14 Refrigerant Inlet 15 Refrigerant Outlet 16 Tube Connection Fixing Member 17 Tube Connection Slit 18, 19 Recess 23 Hollow Part 24 desiccant 25 refrigerant outlet 26 refrigerant inlet 27 tube connection fixing member slit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A flange in which a high pressure side tube and a low pressure side tube are formed in the vicinity of each end of the tube connection portion of an indoor air conditioning unit while forming a liquid receiving portion for storing a liquid phase refrigerant after cooling in a condenser. A hollow portion communicating with the high-pressure side tube and the refrigerant inlet of the tube connection portion is formed in the tube connection fixing member that is pressed and fixed via, and the hollow portion is filled with a desiccant that absorbs water in the refrigeration cycle. Characteristic vehicle air conditioner. 2. A tube inlet side end surface of the tube connection fixing member is inserted and connected to a refrigerant inlet of a tube connecting portion of an indoor air conditioning unit to project a refrigerant inlet port communicating the hollow portion with the refrigerant inlet, and a high pressure side. A low-pressure side tube which is inserted and connected to the tube end to open a refrigerant introduction port that communicates the high-pressure side tube with a hollow portion, and which is inserted and connected to the refrigerant outlet of the tube connection part on the upper side of the tube connection fixing member. While forming a slit for accommodating an end bent into a substantially L-shaped side surface, an end bent into a substantially U-shaped side surface of a high-pressure side tube connected to the refrigerant introduction port at a lower side of the tube connecting portion. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a slit that accommodates the air conditioner. 3. A rear surface of an end portion of each of the corresponding low-pressure side tubes bent in a substantially L-shape in the slit of the tube connection fixing member and a slit of the tube connection portion of the indoor air conditioning unit, and a side surface of the high-pressure side tube. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the U-shaped bent end portions are formed in such a depth that the rear surfaces thereof come into contact with each other. 4. A flange receiving portion for receiving a flange formed near each end of the low-pressure side tube and the high-pressure side tube is provided in the refrigerant outlet forming portion and the slit forming portion of the end surface of the tube connecting portion of the indoor air conditioning unit. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: